How does gallbladder removal affect your diet. What foods should you avoid after gallbladder surgery. Which foods are recommended for a smooth recovery. How long does it take to return to a normal diet after gallbladder removal.

Understanding Gallbladder Function and Surgical Impact

The gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver, plays a crucial role in digestion by storing bile produced by the liver. This bile helps break down fats in the food we consume. When the gallbladder is removed through a procedure called cholecystectomy, it’s essential to understand how this impacts your digestive system and what dietary changes you may need to make.

Why is a special diet necessary after gallbladder removal? Without the gallbladder, bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine. This continuous flow can lead to digestive issues such as diarrhea, bloating, and gas. By modifying your diet, you can help minimize these symptoms and support your body’s adjustment to the new digestive process.

Immediate Post-Surgery Dietary Guidelines

In the days immediately following gallbladder removal surgery, your diet should be carefully managed to promote healing and minimize discomfort. Here are some key guidelines to follow:

• Start with clear liquids, broths, and gelatin
• Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours post-surgery
• Gradually introduce solid foods
• Stick to small, frequent meals

Is there a specific timeline for reintroducing solid foods? While individual recovery times may vary, most patients can start incorporating solid foods within a few days after surgery. It’s crucial to listen to your body and consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Foods to Avoid After Gallbladder Removal

To prevent digestive discomfort and support your recovery, certain foods should be avoided or limited in the weeks following gallbladder removal. These include:

1. Fried foods
2. High-fat foods
3. Foods with strong odors
4. Gas-producing foods
5. Spicy foods
6. Caffeine
7. Dairy products (initially)
8. Very sweet foods

Why are high-fat foods particularly problematic after gallbladder removal? Without the gallbladder to regulate bile release, your body may have difficulty processing large amounts of fat at once. This can lead to diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Specific High-Fat Foods to Avoid

• Butter and lard
• Fatty meats (bacon, beef, pork, lamb)
• Poultry skin
• Processed meats (hot dogs, bologna, salami)
• Full-fat dairy products
• Tropical oils (palm and coconut)
• Processed baked goods

Recommended Foods for Post-Gallbladder Surgery Diet

While it’s important to know what to avoid, understanding which foods can support your recovery is equally crucial. Here are some recommended food choices after gallbladder removal:

Low-Fat Options

• Low-fat or fat-free dairy products
• Egg whites or egg substitutes
• Lean proteins (fish, skinless poultry, tofu)
• Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)
• Whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice)
• Fruits and vegetables
• Low-fat condiments and sauces

How do low-fat foods benefit your recovery? These options are easier to digest and less likely to cause gas, bloating, or diarrhea. They help your body adjust to processing fats without the gallbladder’s bile storage function.

High-Fiber Foods

Incorporating fiber into your diet can help normalize bowel movements, which is particularly beneficial if you’re experiencing diarrhea after surgery. However, it’s important to increase fiber intake gradually to avoid exacerbating gas and cramping. Here are some high-fiber foods to consider:

Soluble Fiber Sources

• Beans (black, lima, navy, pinto)
• Chickpeas
• Oatmeal and oat bran
• Apples and pears
• Prunes

Insoluble Fiber Sources

• Wheat bran and germ
• Berries
• Green vegetables (spinach, cauliflower, green beans)
• Root vegetables (carrots, potatoes)
• Nuts
• Whole wheat flour

What’s the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber? Soluble fiber absorbs water and can help slow digestion, while insoluble fiber adds bulk to stools and aids in waste processing. Both types are important for maintaining digestive health.

Hydration and Fluid Intake Post-Surgery

Maintaining proper hydration is crucial after gallbladder removal, especially if you’re experiencing diarrhea. Adequate fluid intake helps prevent dehydration and supports overall recovery. Consider the following guidelines:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Include clear broths in your diet
• Consume electrolyte-rich beverages like sports drinks
• Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours post-surgery

Why is hydration particularly important after gallbladder surgery? Diarrhea, which is common after the procedure, can lead to significant fluid loss. Proper hydration helps replenish lost fluids and electrolytes, supporting your body’s healing process.

Tracking Your Diet with a Food Journal

Keeping a detailed food journal can be an invaluable tool in managing your post-gallbladder removal diet. This practice allows you to:

• Identify foods that trigger digestive issues
• Track your progress in reintroducing different foods
• Ensure you’re meeting nutritional needs
• Provide valuable information to your healthcare provider

How should you structure your food journal? Include the following information for each meal or snack:

1. Date and time of consumption
2. Foods and beverages consumed
3. Portion sizes
4. Any symptoms experienced after eating
5. Overall mood and energy levels

By maintaining this record, you can work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized diet plan that supports your recovery and long-term digestive health.

Gradual Transition to a Normal Diet

While the initial weeks after gallbladder removal require careful dietary management, most people can return to a regular diet within a month after surgery. However, this transition should be gradual and mindful. Here are some tips for successfully reintroducing foods:

• Introduce new foods one at a time
• Start with small portions of previously restricted foods
• Pay attention to your body’s reactions
• Continue to avoid foods that consistently cause discomfort
• Maintain a balanced diet with emphasis on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

How long does it typically take to fully adjust to eating without a gallbladder? While many people adapt within a month, it’s not uncommon for some individuals to experience intermittent digestive issues for several months. Persistent problems should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

When to Seek Medical Advice

While some digestive changes are expected after gallbladder removal, certain symptoms may indicate complications or the need for further medical attention. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Fever or chills
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Inability to have a bowel movement for several days
• Persistent diarrhea lasting more than a few weeks
• Signs of dehydration (excessive thirst, dark urine, dizziness)

What should you do if you’re struggling to manage your diet after gallbladder removal? Don’t hesitate to reach out to your surgeon or a registered dietitian. They can provide personalized advice and help you develop a diet plan that meets your nutritional needs while minimizing digestive discomfort.

Long-Term Dietary Considerations

As you adjust to life without a gallbladder, it’s important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet that supports your overall well-being. Consider these long-term dietary strategies:

• Emphasize lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Limit saturated and trans fats
• Choose healthy fats from sources like olive oil, avocados, and nuts
• Maintain adequate fiber intake to support regular bowel movements
• Stay hydrated with water and other clear fluids
• Consider probiotic-rich foods to support gut health
• Be mindful of portion sizes, especially when consuming higher-fat foods

Can you live a normal life without a gallbladder? Absolutely. While you may need to make some dietary adjustments, most people find that they can enjoy a wide variety of foods and maintain a high quality of life after gallbladder removal. The key is to listen to your body, make informed food choices, and work closely with your healthcare team to address any ongoing concerns.

In conclusion, managing your diet after gallbladder removal involves a combination of avoiding trigger foods, incorporating beneficial nutrients, and gradually transitioning back to a normal eating pattern. By following these guidelines and working closely with your healthcare provider, you can support your body’s adjustment to life without a gallbladder and maintain optimal digestive health.

What Diet Should You Follow After Gallbladder Surgery? What to Eat and What to Avoid

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Quick Tips for Immediately After Your Surgery
• Foods to Avoid After You Have Your Gallbladder Removed
• Foods to Eat After You Have Your Gallbladder Removed
• Tracking What You Eat With a Food Journal
• When to Call Your Doctor

Your gallbladder is a small organ located under your liver. It stores bile from the liver to help you digest fats.  

If you need to have your gallbladder removed, you will likely have to make changes to your diet after surgery. You’ll want to avoid problems such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea as much as possible.

There is no set diet you should follow after having your gallbladder removed, but there are some guidelines that may help avoid issues. 

For the first few days after your surgery, your diet should be made up of clear liquids, broth, and gelatin.  And while some alcoholic beverages may be clear, you should avoid alcohol for at least two days after your surgery. 

After the first few days, you can start gradually adding solid food back into your diet. You should stick with small meals at first.

Avoid these types of foods when you start adding foods back into your diet: 

• Fried foods
• High-fat foods
• Foods with strong odors
• Foods that cause gas

You may develop diarrhea after having your gallbladder removed. The reason is that without your gallbladder, bile flows directly into your intestines and acts as a laxative. 

The diarrhea caused by that process usually goes away in a few weeks to a few months. For quickest results, try avoiding the following:‌

High-fat foods. Because high-fat foods are harder to digest, you should avoid them if you’re having gas, bloating, or diarrhea after your surgery. In general, fat should make up no more than 30% of your daily calories. Saturated fat should make up no more than 10% of your daily calories. 

Try to stick with foods that contain less than 3 grams of fat per serving. Foods that are high in fat include:

• Butter
• Lard
• Bacon fat
• Beef
• Pork
• Lamb
• Veal
• Poultry skin
• Hot dogs
• Bologna
• Salami
• Cream
• Whole milk
• Ice cream
• Full-fat cheese
• Tropical oils such as palm and coconut
• Processed baked goods such as cookies, pastries, and cakes

Spicy foods. Foods that contain capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers, can irritate your stomach lining. This can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Foods that generally make diarrhea worse. You may get some relief by avoiding caffeine, dairy products, and very sweet foods.  

Fluids. Diarrhea can drain your body of vitamins, minerals, and fluids, so it’s crucial to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, broth, and sports drinks. But again, avoid alcohol for at least 2 days after your surgery, especially if you’re feeling the effects of anesthesia or pain meds.  

Low-fat foods. Low-fat foods will be easier for you to digest and are less likely to cause gas, bloating, or diarrhea. After your surgery, you shouldn’t eat more than 30% of your calories from fat, even if it’s from low-fat foods. Low-fat options include: 

• Low-fat, 1%, or fat-free dairy products
• Fat-free cheeses
• Egg whites or egg substitutes
• Veggie burgers
• Beans, peas, lentils
• Oatmeal
• Whole grains
• Brown rice
• Low-fat crackers and bread
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Soups with a vegetable base
• Mustard
• Salsa
• Sauces made with skim milk
• Light margarine
• Light mayonnaise 
• Light salad dressings

High-fiber foods. Foods high in fiber can help normalize your bowel movements. However, you should gradually increase your fiber intake over several weeks, since increasing it too rapidly can make gas and cramping worse. There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Both should be a part of your diet. 

Soluble fiber absorbs water during digestion. It can increase the bulk of your stool and slow down digestion. Examples of foods high in soluble fiber include: 

• Black beans
• Lima beans
• Navy beans
• Pinto beans
• Tofu
• Chickpeas
• Soy burgers
• Oatmeal
• Oat bran
• Apples
• Okra
• Beets
• Pears
• Prunes

Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water. It absorbs fluid and sticks to other materials. This forms softer, bulkier, and more regular stools. Insoluble fiber helps your body process waste better. Good sources of insoluble fiber include:

• Wheat bran
• Wheat germ
• Oat bran
• Beans
• Lentils
• Legumes
• Berries such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries
• Green peas
• Spinach
• Cauliflower
• Green beans
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Nuts
• Whole wheat flour

Writing down what you eat, how much, and when can help you see how foods affect you after you have your gallbladder removed. Keeping a log of any negative reactions to food can help you avoid foods that cause problems. Most people will be able to return to a regular diet within a month after surgery.   

Though diarrhea that persists for several months is common after gallbladder removal, you should still discuss it with your doctor if it persists for more than 3 days after surgery. Additionally, if you have any of the following symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about them: 

• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain that doesn’t go away or gets worse
• Inability to pass gas for more than three days after surgery
• Inability to have a bowel movement for more than three days after surgery 

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What Diet Should You Follow After Gallbladder Surgery? What to Eat and What to Avoid

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Quick Tips for Immediately After Your Surgery
• Foods to Avoid After You Have Your Gallbladder Removed
• Foods to Eat After You Have Your Gallbladder Removed
• Tracking What You Eat With a Food Journal
• When to Call Your Doctor

Your gallbladder is a small organ located under your liver. It stores bile from the liver to help you digest fats.  

If you need to have your gallbladder removed, you will likely have to make changes to your diet after surgery. You’ll want to avoid problems such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea as much as possible.

There is no set diet you should follow after having your gallbladder removed, but there are some guidelines that may help avoid issues. 

For the first few days after your surgery, your diet should be made up of clear liquids, broth, and gelatin.  And while some alcoholic beverages may be clear, you should avoid alcohol for at least two days after your surgery. 

After the first few days, you can start gradually adding solid food back into your diet. You should stick with small meals at first.

Avoid these types of foods when you start adding foods back into your diet: 

• Fried foods
• High-fat foods
• Foods with strong odors
• Foods that cause gas

You may develop diarrhea after having your gallbladder removed. The reason is that without your gallbladder, bile flows directly into your intestines and acts as a laxative. 

The diarrhea caused by that process usually goes away in a few weeks to a few months. For quickest results, try avoiding the following:‌

High-fat foods. Because high-fat foods are harder to digest, you should avoid them if you’re having gas, bloating, or diarrhea after your surgery. In general, fat should make up no more than 30% of your daily calories. Saturated fat should make up no more than 10% of your daily calories. 

Try to stick with foods that contain less than 3 grams of fat per serving. Foods that are high in fat include:

• Butter
• Lard
• Bacon fat
• Beef
• Pork
• Lamb
• Veal
• Poultry skin
• Hot dogs
• Bologna
• Salami
• Cream
• Whole milk
• Ice cream
• Full-fat cheese
• Tropical oils such as palm and coconut
• Processed baked goods such as cookies, pastries, and cakes

Spicy foods. Foods that contain capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers, can irritate your stomach lining. This can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Foods that generally make diarrhea worse. You may get some relief by avoiding caffeine, dairy products, and very sweet foods.  

Fluids. Diarrhea can drain your body of vitamins, minerals, and fluids, so it’s crucial to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, broth, and sports drinks. But again, avoid alcohol for at least 2 days after your surgery, especially if you’re feeling the effects of anesthesia or pain meds.  

Low-fat foods. Low-fat foods will be easier for you to digest and are less likely to cause gas, bloating, or diarrhea. After your surgery, you shouldn’t eat more than 30% of your calories from fat, even if it’s from low-fat foods. Low-fat options include: 

• Low-fat, 1%, or fat-free dairy products
• Fat-free cheeses
• Egg whites or egg substitutes
• Veggie burgers
• Beans, peas, lentils
• Oatmeal
• Whole grains
• Brown rice
• Low-fat crackers and bread
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Soups with a vegetable base
• Mustard
• Salsa
• Sauces made with skim milk
• Light margarine
• Light mayonnaise 
• Light salad dressings

High-fiber foods. Foods high in fiber can help normalize your bowel movements. However, you should gradually increase your fiber intake over several weeks, since increasing it too rapidly can make gas and cramping worse. There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Both should be a part of your diet. 

Soluble fiber absorbs water during digestion. It can increase the bulk of your stool and slow down digestion. Examples of foods high in soluble fiber include: 

• Black beans
• Lima beans
• Navy beans
• Pinto beans
• Tofu
• Chickpeas
• Soy burgers
• Oatmeal
• Oat bran
• Apples
• Okra
• Beets
• Pears
• Prunes

Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water. It absorbs fluid and sticks to other materials. This forms softer, bulkier, and more regular stools. Insoluble fiber helps your body process waste better. Good sources of insoluble fiber include:

• Wheat bran
• Wheat germ
• Oat bran
• Beans
• Lentils
• Legumes
• Berries such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries
• Green peas
• Spinach
• Cauliflower
• Green beans
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Nuts
• Whole wheat flour

Writing down what you eat, how much, and when can help you see how foods affect you after you have your gallbladder removed. Keeping a log of any negative reactions to food can help you avoid foods that cause problems. Most people will be able to return to a regular diet within a month after surgery.   

Though diarrhea that persists for several months is common after gallbladder removal, you should still discuss it with your doctor if it persists for more than 3 days after surgery. Additionally, if you have any of the following symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about them: 

• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain that doesn’t go away or gets worse
• Inability to pass gas for more than three days after surgery
• Inability to have a bowel movement for more than three days after surgery 

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Diet after removal of the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy)

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Diet after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

May 28, 2018

Laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder, or cholecystectomy, is considered a minimally invasive, less traumatic operation and is characterized by a quick recovery period and a low risk of complications.

The main condition for a quick recovery and restoration of working capacity is diet after laparoscopic cholecystectomy . Since there is no gallbladder, which served as a reservoir of bile and regulated its ejection into the duodenum, bile begins to be ejected voluntarily, regardless of food intake. This can lead to a number of unpleasant complications – heartburn, duodenitis, gastritis, colitis, etc.

Therefore, the diet after cholecystectomy surgery should limit bile-stimulating foods as much as possible for a while until the bile ducts take over the function of the gallbladder and learn to partially accumulate bile.

In addition to limiting a whole list of products, the diet after laparoscopic cholecystectomy also provides for a special nutrition system – fractional nutrition. This means that the patient should eat often, but in small portions. Since, due to the removed gallbladder, bile has no place to accumulate, its amount, which is ejected by the bile ducts, may not be sufficient to digest significant portions of food.

Further in the article, we will describe in more detail what the diet after cholecystectomy is, how long you need to follow it, and also give an example of a healthy menu.

Nutrition after removal of the gallbladder in the postoperative period

As mentioned above, nutrition when removing the gallbladder by laparoscopy should be fractional. The patient should eat 5-6 times a day in small portions. Such nutrition after removal of the gallbladder (laparoscopy) ensures the regular ejection of bile from the bile ducts, which prevents its stagnation and subsequent formation of stones.

Nutrition after removal of the gallbladder (laparoscopy) corresponds to dietary table No. 5 according to Pevzner.

The list of prohibited foods includes fatty meat and fish, concentrated broths, fried, spicy, salty, smoked, pickled and canned foods, fresh pastries, spinach, radishes, radishes, onions, garlic, legumes, chocolate, caviar, fresh fruits, carbonated drinks , coffee, strong tea, alcoholic drinks. Vegetable oil is limited to 50 g per day.

Of the permitted foods after cholecystectomy surgery are lean meats and fish, light soups, low-fat broths, cereals, low-fat dairy products, yesterday’s bread, baked or lightly boiled fruits.

How long to diet after gallbladder removal

The diet after removal of the gallbladder (laparoscopy) should be followed until the bile ducts partially take over the function of the gallbladder and begin to accumulate and release bile in the necessary portions for each meal. Usually, a diet after removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is prescribed for at least six months.

The first 1.5-2 months after the operation, it should be strict with a maximum restriction of bile-stimulating products. Further, the menu can gradually expand. For some patients, a diet after removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) may be prescribed for a year or more.

Healthy menu after gallbladder removal

Usually, a dietitian makes an approximate menu for the patient after removal of the gallbladder (laparoscopy). In the first months of the diet, it must be strictly observed, after which you can diversify a little.

• An example menu after gallbladder removal (laparoscopy) is shown below:
• First breakfast: milk porridge, cottage cheese, tea.
• Second breakfast: baked apples.
• Lunch: vegetable broth, steam cutlet, compote.
• Snack: beetroot salad, jelly.
• Dinner: mashed potatoes, baked fish, tea.
• An hour before bedtime, you can drink a glass of kefir.

Therapeutic diet after cholecystectomy

After cholecystectomy, a person will have to follow a diet throughout his life. After all, after the removal of the gallbladder, there will be no reservoir where all the bile can accumulate. Therefore, it is necessary to create a certain unloading of the biliary tract. In this case, only special nutrition can help, the essence of which is frequent meals.

Diet after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Are there specific dietary recommendations after laparoscopic cholecystectomy? The first step is to try to eat as often as possible. After removing the gallbladder, you need to eat in a special way. Fried foods should be avoided. Now everything should be prepared only for a couple. In no case should lard and animal fats be included in the diet. The first course should be vegetable soups, without any broth. No meat broths, this is prohibited. If we talk about second courses, then in this case meat is suitable, but just not fatty. It is recommended to give preference to beef and poultry meat. Pork and veal should not be in the human diet! Detailed recommendations should be made by the attending physician. The main thing is that the diet after removal of the gallbladder is always observed. Naturally, this is not so simple, but after a while a person begins to get used to such a diet.

Diet 5 after gallbladder removal

What should be the sparing diet 5 after gallbladder removal? Of course, eating all your life only according to certain rules is difficult. But who said that you can not eat anything tasty? There are a huge number of interesting and healthy dishes. Naturally, the first time should be limited only to light soups and cereals. But in the future, diversifying the diet is quite realistic. Lean meat is gradually added, with which you can cook many interesting dishes. It is also allowed to eat scrambled eggs, and prepare a variety of salads. Just mayonnaise will have to be replaced with some other dressing. You should forget about chips and other harmful things. But that’s not the worst thing. Usually people after the removal of the gallbladder are frightened by the very word diet. But in fact, there is nothing wrong with that, the restrictions are not so serious. Diet after removal of the gallbladder is nothing supernatural. A simple healthy diet without junk food.

Diet recipes after gallbladder removal

What interesting diet recipes after gallbladder removal can be used? In fact, there are quite a few of them. Therefore, one of them will be given below, so that a person understands that even while on a diet, you can eat tasty and healthy. So, the first recipe is a tongue with stuffed cheese. To prepare this dish, you will need to take the main ingredients, such as 200 grams of tongue, the same amount of hard cheese and quite a bit of mayonnaise. Yes, you can use the last component, but only in limited quantities. The tongue should be boiled in salted water, then cooled and finely chopped. After that, grated cheese is added there and everything is mixed with mayonnaise. A tasty and healthy salad is obtained literally in a matter of minutes. You can cook the same meat salad, but only with lean meat and with a very slight addition of mayonnaise. Diet after removal of the gallbladder is not a sentence at all. You can always cook something delicious.

Diet menu after gallbladder removal

What should be the correct diet menu after gallbladder removal? The main thing is to exclude products that somewhat irritate the body. After all, he is simply not able to “hide” bile in a certain reservoir. Therefore, at first, it is worth giving preference to light food. It is desirable that these be vegetable soups, and lean meat and cereals for main courses. Over time, you can already cook something more interesting. So, there are quite a few healthy and tasty recipes. Who said that you have to give up the usual diet? Nothing like that, it will just need to be modified a little. All the usual salads can be consumed, but with a little replacement of some ingredients. Naturally, it is advisable to consult with your doctor. In fact, the diet after the removal of the gallbladder is nothing terrible.

Diet by day after gallbladder removal

There is a specific diet by day after gallbladder removal, but you can use it only after the approval of the doctor. So, its essence lies in the fact that in the first days after the operation, only light food should be consumed. Vegetable soups are perfect, while making a rich broth is not recommended. As second courses, cereals should be preferred, with a slight addition of meat, but not fatty.

Avoid unhealthy foods such as chips, sodas and even sweets. Over time, the diet can be varied. But this is done only after consulting a doctor. So, in the future it will be possible to eat familiar foods, only some components will most likely have to be replaced. After a while, it is possible to use mayonnaise, but only in small quantities.

On the first day after the operation, it is allowed to drink water or a rosehip decoction in small sips. Food should be abandoned for now, the body is too weakened.

On the second day it is quite possible to consume unsweetened jelly, low-fat kefir is also suitable. In general, the amount of liquid should not be less than 1.5 liters.

On the third-fifth days the diet expands somewhat. It is quite possible to use natural juices, mashed potatoes and even tea with sugar. But you should not abuse it, everything is in small “doses”. Starting from the fifth day, you can afford to eat some crackers.